Omar laughed. But he got out of the car before Colton could ask what was so funny. The pilots all stood in a group, waiting for their threesome. They had a few women, but mostly men. Ivy went to stand with the women, and everyone seemed pleased. “Okay, should we see how the gauchos have fun?”
“Isso!” One of them gave him a high five. “Vamos.”
They stopped into a restaurant for dinner. It was delicious. Then Omar waved his hand down the street. “How about a drink from each bar!”
They laughed. Colton had never seen so many bars in one place. He was tugged into the nearest one while Ivy waved. The girls started dancing in place. Was she going dancing? He craned his neck but couldn’t see where they had become lost in the crowd.
The guys ordered their first of many rounds. Colton spent the rest of the night hoping to be closer to Ivy. They never caught up. She didn’t drink, unlike Omar, who was starting to slur his words. Colton didn’t either, but he felt responsible for the group and knew work would come early tomorrow. Every time he looked Ivy’s way, she was the only one without a cup in her hand. Interesting. Something else he loved about the impeccable Ivy Hatfield. Now that he’d seen her unwind, now that he’d taken her dancing and up in the air, he knew there was more to her orderly discipline. She was a real emotional whirl with fire in her veins. He liked that not many knew that about her.
But no matter how much he wanted tonight to be about them, he never did get to spend time with her. The other guys were tight with Omar.
“Sing! Sing! Sing!” A whole group of them surrounded him.
Colton laughed. “What?”
And then Omar started singing in Portuguese, swinging his cup around. Colton stepped closer. Ivy stood beside him. “That’s the Brazilian national anthem.”
“Is it?” He laughed. “How does he know that?”
She shrugged, laughing. “Maybe you’re not the only one who does their research.”
“Apparently not.”
The other pilots egged him on, and Omar kept going until the very end. They all held their cups up in the air and then downed the rest of their drinks.
“I wonder if Omar is part Brazilian.” Colton sidestepped so that their arms touched, just barely.
Ivy didn’t step away.
“You’re not drinking.”
She lifted her eyes to his face. “Neither are you.”
He nodded. “Does that mean you’re taking the truck, and I’m driving all these rabble-rousers home?”
“Or we put them all in the back of the truck, and I drive in the cab with you and maybe Omar . . .” They both turned. Omar was threatening to stand on the table for his next rendition.
Colton laughed. “I love that guy.”
“You gotta love Omar.”
When they were all finally ready to call it a night, Colton was pleased that a good bunch of them had made arrangements and were getting rides. He helped the rest of them into the back of his truck, including Omar, who thought it would be more fun back there. And then Ivy pulled up addresses and the map function on her phone and headed toward the first home.
Within about ten minutes, the guys who were in the back seat were cleared out and home. Things were pretty quiet between the two of them. Colton studied her in between watching the road. “Talk to me. Where do you see yourself after Top Flight?”
She turned in her seat so she was facing him from the passenger side. “Who’s asking? My boss, or . . . ?”
“Not your boss.” What was he? He wasn’t going to spell anything out right now. The man who wanted to kiss her? The guy who was more intrigued by her than he had ever been by any other woman?
She fiddled with her phone. “I don’t know.”
He watched her for a second then turned back to the road. “You seem more concerned about the answer to this question than I would have thought.”
She waited so long to respond that he wasn’t sure she would. Then the quiet voice that began was so different from all the different sides of Ivy, he almost pulled over so that he could really pay attention.
“I don’t know if you were the same, but when I was honorably discharged from the military, I felt a little lost.”
He didn’t respond. He’d been a mixed bag at his discharge. Lost without a plane to fly, but kind of ecstatic that no one was telling him what to do all the time.
“I tried everything I knew to do. I finished my degree. I worked for an accounting firm. I even tried sailing.”
He laughed. “Sailing?” Things were looking even better than he imagined for his plans tomorrow.
“Yeah, it’s a thing around the Cape. I loved it. But it can’t be my way to earn a living, you know?”
He nodded.
“Top Flight gave me purpose again. While you resist the structure and the rules, I need them. I feel comfortable a bit boxed in.”
Now that was something he couldn’t even imagine understanding as long as he breathed. But he respected that she felt that way.
“So, you might work for Top Flight forever?” He considered such a thing. He’d never said anything that committed in his life. He preferred the open method of viewing his plans.
“Won’t you?”
He shifted. “I imagine I will. Unless something else comes up—unless something happens. I don’t know. Can we ever be certain about anything?”
“I guess not. But you do think it will be around for a while . . . don’t you?”
“Oh yeah. We’re not going anywhere. We have plans to grow. Other skills in the military, everything. We’ve got some homeland security guys in mind. They can hire out as consultants on any number of security issues.”
She nodded, seeming pleased.
They dropped off the last couple guys from the back of the truck, and then once back at Fatima’s, Omar stumbled out and made his way into the house.
“He’s going to feel that in the morning.” Colton turned off the car. He put his hand on the door handle, but Ivy stayed where she was. So he turned back.
“I’m not really ready to go to bed yet.”
Colton craned his neck to the sky. “The moon is out. Should we go for a walk?”
“Yes, thank you. If you’re not tired. I need to walk off my thoughts.”
They headed for the path at the edge of the woods on the side of the house. “I think there’s a coconut grove up ahead and a bit of a garden next to it.”
“The Aqua de Coco we drink in the morning? Is that from her own coconuts? It’s the sweetest I’ve ever had.”
“Yes, Fatima told me it was. If you show up at the kitchen early, you can eat some of the clear flesh of the coconut right after they cut it open.”
“Oh, this secret you have kept all this time!” She swatted him.
“Maybe we could sneak in there and cut one for ourselves.”
“Oh, no. Let’s wait for morning. I don’t want to upset what Fatima has already planned for tomorrow.”
“If we find one ourselves in the grove . . . then it won’t be upsetting anything.”
“True.” She smiled, and with the moonlight shining down into her eyes, and her face lit with the silver glow, he wished to see her just that way forever.
Chapter 14
The lateness of the hour descended on Ivy like a warm blanket. And she felt . . . at ease. Colton walked beside her. “You know. I’ve not seen such excellent flying as you showed that one time we were up together,” he said.
“Oh?” Pleasure rippled through her. “Thank you.”
“I’d like to do it again.”
Technically they didn’t have any need to go back up together. But she couldn’t deny how tempting the offer was. “Maybe we can go up again in a month or so? We could do the first day of dogfight training together,” he continued.
She smiled, enjoying the thought. “Do you think anyone could possibly catch us yet?”
“There are a few. Honestly. We’re gonna have to be on our toes if we want to make sure they don’t win a
fight too early.”
“Got some arrogance going on up there? I could think of a few that might need to be taken down a peg.”
“Especially by you. I’d like you to make it as quick a shut down as possible.”
She laughed. “And destroy their fragile egos?”
“I don’t think there’s any danger in that. No. But I want them to see how quickly things can get hairy in a life or death situation.”
She nodded, knowing she was only hesitating for show. She would jump on this chance. “Awesome. When do we go up?”
His grin spread across his face. “You know, we could just take the plane up for a follow-up look at your flying . . .” The hopeful fun in his face, the moonlight, the lateness of the hour, all of it combined to make her feel like stepping closer was the most natural thing in the world.
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, Lieutenant.”
He moved around to her front. “And why’s that? The plane is available. I’m here. You’re here.”
She looked up into his face, his jawline sharp against the moonlit shadows. His eyes warm, his mouth . . . She swallowed. She wanted this. He was nothing like her old co-pilot Guido, or her brother. He was strong, brave, expert. His moves were more advanced. Reckless? Possibly.
His hands reached out to pull her closer. He stepped into her intimate space, running his hands down her back, sending shivers of expectation through her. She couldn’t look up, not yet. But he pulled her close, hugging her like she was precious to him, with gentle pressure. Then a kiss at the top of her head and she was done waiting around, done second-guessing, finished pausing in the shadows of her desire. She liked this guy. And who cared if he was reckless? Maybe that’s what she liked about him. What had changed besides a sudden and insane desire to kiss him?
His eyes sparkled at her as he moved ever closer, his mouth leaning closer to hers.
Her trust. She trusted him. Her feet went up on tiptoes. She stretched her arms up to his shoulders, her hands went to the back of his neck, her fingers rising up into his hair. It felt soft; the short, military cut on the back tickling her skin.
As his arms circled around her more completely, and the bubble of safe trust turned to a delicious, tickling sort of hum, his mouth found hers. The hunger that surged surprised her, but she embraced it. She responded with the power of her desire, wiping away his hesitance. His grip on her tightened, and his kisses became more urgent.
She bit into his upper lip, trying to get more from him than a kiss would allow. The slight scruff on his chin and mouth felt delicious. She arced against him, and his fingers spread against her waist, spanning the small of her back. He dipped her, capturing her better at this angle. Her fingers went up into his hair, grabbing fistfuls and everywhere, coursing up and down her core, paths of energy surged, hot and intense.
Then his kiss softened and slowed, and tenderly, he pressed his mouth against hers, again and again, enveloping her in a tenderness that took over the urgency and turned it into an overwhelming fire. And then he stopped, kissing her nose, her cheek, her chin, until she opened her eyes. “I could do this all night, except that unless you want to lay down in the dirt, we’ve got to take this inside.”
She laughed, leaning her forehead against his chest. She shook her head. “Let’s go to bed.”
“Hey, now, I wasn’t saying we should end this night.”
His face was earnest, intent, tender still.
“What are we doing in a few hours for our date?” She grinned.
“Oh, now don’t you try to ruin your surprise, little lady. You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Until tomorrow, then?” Her breathless whisper filled the air between them with promise.
“Tomorrow is just getting better and better.” He reached for her hand, and they walked back to the front door together.
He kissed her again at her door, the kind of intimate kiss that said, “We do this now. Your lips are part of my familiar space.” And she melted into him.
“Goodnight.” She whispered to him and then closed her bedroom door, trying to pretend he wasn’t sleeping on the other side of a thin wall.
The next morning, they sat together at breakfast. He didn’t hold her hand, but they were close enough their shoulders brushed. Omar was nowhere to be seen. Fatima’s cheerful smile and the delicious food made for a near-perfect morning. Colton reached across her. “Oh, pardon me.” He grinned as he grabbed the fruit plate.
Then he held up the suco de goiaba. “Can I pour you some more?” His arm brushed hers as he leaned closer with the pitcher. His foot pressed against hers under the table. Though he looked about as tired as she felt rolling out of bed so early, he was a delicious sight first thing in the morning, and for a moment, she felt more like they were on a vacation together than on a job assignment.
As they finished up breakfast, Fatima brought out a basket. “And here’s the picnic you asked for.” She smiled. “I know your captain. He has ten grandchildren, and he dotes on them all.”
“Our captain?” Ivy turned to him.
“Opa. I didn’t say anything.” Fatima held up her hands and hurried out of the room.
“Yes, our captain. On a large sailboat that is ours for the day.”
“What! We’re going sailing?” She leaned closer and kissed him on the cheek, then stayed close. “How could you even know how much I love to sail?”
“I didn’t. But I love to sail, like you, so it sounds like this is going to be one awesome day.” It took only a small shift in the angle of his face for his lips to find hers. “Should we get started?”
“Yes.” She grinned. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” His eyes searched hers. “Believe me.”
She laughed, feeling a carefree happiness surround them like a lovely bubble.
They approached a marina. “We’re looking for The Menina. She should be at the end of one of these docks.”
“I see her.” Ivy pointed to a tall mast with a sail still tied tight. “She’s beautiful.”
The boat looked like new. The deck was large. A grizzly man with tanned skin waved. “You Colton?”
“Yes, I am. Great to meet you.”
“I’m Tiago. Welcome aboard. I’ll be your captain and take care of everything for you. You can put your food in the galley. It’s just down below. And feel free to pretend I’m not here.”
“Could we help you sail?”
“Ah? A woman interested in sailing?”
“We both are.” Colton led her to an opened door. “Obrigada, Tiago. We’re just excited to get out on the water.”
“With any luck, we will see some whales. The dolphins play out there, and sometimes we see sharks.” His eyes twinkled. “Which is thrilling if you are inside my large and safe boat.”
“Yes.” Ivy wondered at the shark population in these waters. “Looking forward to setting sail.” She moved through the door that Colton held for her into a combined seating area and kitchen that was much more spacious than she thought it would be. “This is nice. And Cozy. What a great idea for a day out.” She smiled, enjoying every urge she felt to kiss him in gratitude.
He took two strides. “Now, Tenderfoot. If you keep looking at me like that, we could end up anywhere.”
“Why’s that?”
“’Cause I won’t be doing too much else besides kissing that beautiful mouth.”
She laughed. “I wouldn’t complain.”
His gaze intensified, and he pulled her close. “Neither would I.” His mouth found hers before she could respond, and it was as if they picked up right where they left off last night. But he stopped too early, kissed her again, and again, quick, meant-to-be-short moments, but he couldn’t seem to stop. “Wow, you’re addicting, you know that?”
She reached for his hand. “I never thought it would be like this.”
“With me?”
“Right. I’ve always wanted to give us a try but this . . .” She shook her head.
She laughed and followed him back up top to the front of the boat. “Here we go!”
Tiago had the sailboat off the dock leaving all the boats behind. Ivy stood at the very front and spread her arms out to her sides. “This is amazing! It has been way too long.”
He stood behind her and rested his hands on her hips. So she leaned back into him, and his arms went around her. His chin in the small of her neck made her smile.
“Do this with me again.”
She nodded. “Absolutely.”
“When we’re finished with this assignment down here, let’s stay, get a boat, sail back home?”
She turned to face him. “What? Seriously?” A wild hope filled her. Dare she?
“I’ve never been more serious.”
She nodded. “How about we see how things go.”
“Fair enough. I don’t want you getting all seasick on me.”
She laughed, then she studied him. “I can’t believe this. Is it really happening?”
“What happening? Our boat ride? It’s definitely happening, as you can probably tell by the wind in your hair, the spray of the water, the gentle rise and fall . . . Oh, not the boat? Perhaps you mean the fact that I’m holding you in my arms and have already kissed you twice today? That part?”
“Yes, that part.” She melted closer, resting her hands on his forearms. “You and I. Are we really happening?”
“Looks like it to me.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “As far as we know, right? No one knows anything for sure, but so far, so good, how’s that?”
She rested a hand at the side of his face. “Perfect.”
He rotated his shoulders, and she turned away to watch the water. Was it her imagination, or did something not sit well with him just now? She let the thought fly away on the gorgeous breeze that tickled her neck. He would have to come to grips with whatever commitment demons he was feeling. She asked nothing more of him at the moment. She didn’t know where this was going any more than he did.
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